Burkina Faso Riots Over Basic Commodity Prices Threatens Political Stability
blurb:isstoday:25032008burkinafaso
25 March 2008: Burkina Faso Riots Over Basic Commodity Prices Threatens Political Stability
The riots and protests currently endemic to many parts of the African continent are the expression of disappointment and anger due to inept political leadership and frustration over economic policies that have failed to meet the basic needs of the majority. In February residents of Bobo Dioulasso, the second largest city in Burkina Faso, took to the streets in protest against the rising price of basic commodities and the resultant deterioration in their living conditions. This violent protest resulted in the destruction of many public utilities, and rapidly spread to other parts of Burkina Faso including Ouagadougou. Predictably, the government reaction has been to deploy security forces to suppress the popular uprising. Though the protests appear to be the result of a spontaneous movement with no specific leader behind it, the government has moved swiftly to arrest more than 180 people including some political party leaders who are now on trial.
Since independence in the 1960s Burkina Faso’s socio-political environment had been marked by chronic instability and poor governance. When in 1983 a young army Captain, Thomas Sankara, took control of the country through a military coup, Burkinabe were promised accountability in the management of public affairs and social progress. Despite the contradictions that came with what was then termed “Sankara’s revolution”, Burkinabe were given genuine reasons to believe that their country was indeed the land of men and women of integrity. Sankara’s revolution and his legacy are still celebrated across the country and beyond.
In 1987 Sankara’s revolution was “rectified” by his then close friend and political ally Blaise Compaore. Since then, despite the democratic ‘experiment’ of the 1990s and the economic reforms that ensued, the country has yet to show signs of any significant improvement in the life of the people. Burkina Faso remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Following the controversial 2005 amendments of the constitution that paved the way for the third term for President Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso finds itself in the political doldrums characteristic of pseudo-democracies in Africa.
While the current rise in the cost of basic commodities is not peculiar to Burkina Faso and could also be partially explained by external factors, Burkinabe are of the opinion that, in addition to the democratic deficit, corruption and the uneven distribution of existing resources by the government are to blame for their deteriorating living conditions. The taxation policy imposed by the government has also had a significant impact on the price increases, while citizens’ purchasing power remains low.
In initiating discussions with opposition political leaders and other social forces, the government is seeking to reach consensus on strategies to avoid further violence and the deterioration of the social climate. A fresh round of protests is planned if the government fails to take adequate measures and ensure their appropriate implementation. Most opposition political leaders believe that the government should initiate profound governance reforms instead of sketching ad hoc solutions to the crisis. It is argued that the crisis that is currently affecting the country has its roots in the failure to establish a viable democratic political system and fair distribution of national resources.
The restoration of order and stability depends greatly on how Burkina Faso authorities respond to this crisis at its early stage. Showing respect for the basic rights of the citizens and for democratic values will help create the right atmosphere for discussions on solutions and practical measures to address the disappointment, anger and frustrations of the protesters. Burkina Faso’s president should understand this very well, as he is currently involved in the process to restore peace and stability in Cote d’Ivoire. His ability to manage the food and commodities price crisis might have some impact on the peace process in Abidjan. Certainly, his decades in power will only seem worthwhile if he can leave behind a legacy of a consolidated democratic state and a socially cohesive people.
David Zounmenou, Senior Researcher: African Security Analysis Programme, ISS Tshwane (Pretoria)
